DEKALB, Ill. — Despite a cast on his left hand, Northern Illinois safety Jimmie Ward has two interceptions this season.

No wonder coach Rod Carey calls the Huskies defense opportunistic.

But along with the highlight plays — four interceptions, four fumble recoveries, 14 sacks (nine against Idaho alone) — the defense has posted some worrisome statistics.

Carey isn't worried, though.

"You go to Iowa and hold them to 27 points," he said. "Now all of a sudden it's broke, let's fix it? I don't know that it's broke. It's something we need to execute better."

The Huskies held Iowa to three second-half points in a 30-27 opening victory. Idaho scored only seven second-half points in NIU's 45-35 win.

But the Huskies (3-0) have allowed every opponent to gain at least 400 total yards, including 577 by Eastern Illinois in Saturday's 43-39 shootout. They rank 115th nationally in total defense, giving up 493.7 yards per game, and 100th in scoring defense with 33.7 points allowed per game.

Carey said the statistics are more a product of the opponents they faced than an indictment on the defense.

"You play (EIU quarterback) Jimmy Garoppolo, you're going to give up a lot of yards," he said. "When you run against teams that run with that tempo, with that receiving group and that quarterback, it's going to take you a minute to get your feet on the ground. It took us a little longer than we would have liked."

Purdue (1-3) does not bring the same offensive firepower. The Huskies visit West Lafayette, Ind., on Saturday hoping to become the first Mid-American Conference team to beat two Big Ten opponents in the same regular season.

The Boilermakers, who will celebrate homecoming at Ross-Ade Stadium, average only 15.3 points, which ranks 114th out of 123 FBS teams. They're 121st in total offense, mustering only 246 yards per game behind quarterback Rob Henry.

Henry performed well in a loss to Notre Dame but has completed only 56.3 percent of his passes for 175.5 yards per game with four interceptions.